Writing device



Sept. 22, 1964 K. A. KAEYER 3,149,425

WRITING DEVICE Filed April 20, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fiafZ dffagye BY K. A. KAEYER WRITING DEVICE Sept. 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, 1962 THHHHIH H 1' United States Patent 3,149,426 WRETING DEVIQE Karl A. Kaeyer, 542% Ridgewood Court, Qhieago, Ill. Filed Apr. 2%, 1962, Sar. N 189,649 8 Claims. (Ql. 35-66) This invention relates to certain improvements in writing devices of the type which include a pad for receiving and temporarily retaining written matter or other material resulting from an impression made by a stylus upon a writing surface sheet and which writing or other material may be made to disappear by parting the writing surface sheet from an impressionable pressure sensitive coating on the pad of the writing device.

Pads of the aforementioned type are disclosed, for example, in United States Patents Nos. 1,555,642, dated September 29, 1925, and 2,074,855, dated March 23, 1937.

The present invention relates more particularly to improvements in writing devices, or devices for temporarily retaining writing or other material, wherein there is a frame having opposite sides connected by a bottom portion and defining a window opening, the opposite sides of the frame having in their inner sides channels opening inwardly to said window opening with openings opening outwardly from the outer ends of said channels, a pad having opposite margins entering the channels and guided for movement inwardly and outwardly in the channels, the pad having impressionable pressure sensitive coatings on opposite sides thereof, writing surface sheets overlying the pressure sensitive coatings on opposite sides of the pad and adapted upon pressure and movement of a stylus over the outer surfaces of said sheets to adhere to the impressionable pressure sensitive coatings and become visible along the pressure lines, and a pair of erasers one passing between one writing surface sheet and the impressionable pressure sensitive coating on one side of the pad so as to part said sheet from said impressionable pressure sensitive coating when the pad is slidably moved in the channels relative to the frame, the other eraser passing between the other writing surface sheet and the impressionable pressure sensitive coating on the opposite side of the pad so as to part the other sheet from the other impressionable pressure sensitive coating when the pad is slidably moved in the channels relative to the frame, the opposite ends of the parting strips projecting beyond opposite ends of the pad and joined together and engaged in the openings in the frame whereby said parting strips are held against movement relative to the frame.

Another feature resides in making the opposite projecting ends of the parting strips flexible to enable. flexing of the ends of the strips for removal from the openings in the opposite sides of the frame.

Another feature resides in making both the pad and the parting strips flexible to enable flexing the pad and parting strips between the ends thereof for removal of the opposite projecting ends of the partin strips from the openings in the frame.

Another feature resides in making the corners between the inner edge and the opposite side edges of the pad rounded so that upon withdrawal of the pad from the frame to a position where the opposite projecting ends of the parting strips project from the rounded corners the extent of projection of said ends from the opposite edges of the pad is increased, and in making the opposite projecting ends of the parting strips flexible to enable flexing said ends for removal from the openings in the opposite sides of the frame when the pad is positioned with the projecting ends of the parting strips projecting from the rounded corners of the pad.

Another feature resides in the provision of a writing 3,14%,425 Patented Sept. 22, 1964 device of the character described wherein the writing surface sheets are attached to the pad along the inner and outer margins of the pad.

Another feature resides in providing the inner sides of the opposite sides of the frame with back and front channels; also a back cover having opposite margins entering and guided for movement into and from the back channels, and a front cover having opposite margins entering and guided for movement in the front channels, the back and front covers having openings through which material on opposite sides of the writing pad is visible.

Another feature resides in the provision of a handle projecting outwardly from the outer margin of the pad and provided with a retainer for a stylus.

Another feature resides in the provision of rows of characters embossed on the writing surface sheets.

Further features and advantages and adaptations of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the invention is limited only within the scope of the appended claims, and not to the particular embodiment selected for illustration.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a writing device embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through the frame taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and showing one side of the writing pad;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the. writing pad taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 and showing the parting strip structure;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of one of the writing surface sheets showing one form of letter embossed therein;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 through another form of letter or character.

Referring now to the drawing, the writing device according to the present invention comprises a frame 1 which may be made of plastic or other suitable material.

The frame 1 has opposite sides 2 connected by a bottom portion 3 and defining a window opening 4. The opposite sides 2 have in their inner sides intermediate channels 5, back channels 6 on the back sides of the intermediate channels, and front channels 7 on the front sides of the intermediate channels 5.

A pad 8 which may be formed of cardboard or other suitable material has opposite margins 9 which enter the intermediate channels 5 and are guided for movement inwardly and outwardly in the channels 5. The pad 8 has dark colored or black waxy coatings 10 of known composition on each of its opposite surfaces. These coatings 16 are somewhat tacky in nature and are impressionable and pressure sensitive along narrow pressure lines.

Writing surface or impression sheets 12 overlie the pressure sensitive coatings It on opposite sides of the. pad 8. The sheets 12 comprise generally thin, flexible and translucent or semi-opaque sheets or films. The impression sheets 12 are preferably films which are very pliable and thin and do not take on a permanent set.

It is usually desirable to protect the films or sheets 12 with films or sheets 14 of clear transparent film material such as cellophane, or cellulose acetate which overlie the sheets 12. The sheets 14 are adapted to have pressure transmitted therethrough along lines to the underlying films 12 and the impressionable coatings 10. The sheets 12 and 14 are secured to the opposite sides of the pad 8 along the inner and outer margins of the pad, for example, by stapling as indicated at 16 and 18.

An eraser 20, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 and in FIGURE 3, passes between one impression sheet 12 and the impressionable pressure sensitive coating on the adjacent surface of the pad 8. A second eraser 22 passes between the other impression sheet 12 and the impressionable pressure sensitive coating 10 on the opposite surface of the pad 8. The opposite ends of the eraser strips, which may be made of cellophane, plastic material, metal, or other material, project beyond opposite ends of the pad 8 at 24 and are joined together at 25.

The opposite sides 2 of the frame 1 have openings opening outwardly from the outer ends of the intermediate channels 5. These openings 26 are shaped similarly to the shapes of .the projecting and joined ends 24 of the eraser strips 20 and 2 2. The projecting and joined ends 24 of the parting strips 20 and 22 engage in the openings 26 and the parting strips are thus held against inward and outward movement, or are fixed to the sides 2 of the frame 1 for inward and outward movement of the pad 8 relative thereto as will presently appear.

The pad 8, including the impression sheets 12 and sheets 14, and the eraser strips 24) and 22 are flexible to enable flexing the pad, sheets and parting strips between the ends thereof for removing the opposite projecting and joined ends 24 of the parting strips from the openings 26. This permits using a variation of pads for insertion, one at a time, in the frame 1, depending upon what particular material is desired on the sheets or films 14 as will presently appear.

The corners between the inner edge and the opposite side edges of the pad are rounded at 28 so that upon withdrawal of the pad outwardly from the frame 1 to position where the projecting ends 24 of the parting strips 20 and 22 project from the rounded corners 28 of the pad, the extent of projection of said ends 24 from the opposite edges of the pad is increased. This facilitates removal of the flexible projecting ends 24 of the parting strips 20 and 22 from the openings 26 for replacement of the pad with another pad. The latter references to pad include the pad 8 and the sheets 12 and 14 secured thereto and since the eraser strips 26 and 22 are positioned between the coatings 10 and the impression sheets 12 and between attachment of sheets 12 and 14 to the pad 8 proper at 16 and 18, the eraser strips 20 and 22 constitute a unitary part of the. pad, which has movement relative to the eraser strips 20 and 22. e

As shown in FIGURE 2, the front sheet 14 of the pad has characters in the form of capital letters 39 in alphabetical order and arranged in rows. The back sheet 14 may have consecutive large size numbers also arranged in rows. The letters, numbers, 'or other characters are embossed in the sheets 14, for example, by a vacuum forming operation, which will produce upward ridges 34 as shownin FIGURES 4 and 5. Similar ridges may also be made of solid plastic, metal wires or'other materials 38 FIGURE 6 which'can be cemented to the film acetate. The inner and outer ridges 34 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 or contour of letters, numbers or figures with or without ridges will be colored with fine lines of light green or some other suitable color to make them visible for a child'to follow. In the space between the inner and outer ridges 34 FIGURE 4 will be small arrows 3-6 to .show which direction should be followed in outlining the letters, numbers or other characters.

A back cover 40 has opposite margins 41 which enter and are guidedfor movement into and from the back channels 6. A front cover 42 has opposite margins '43 which enter and are guided for movement into and from the front channels 7. The covers 40 and 42 may be formed of plastic or other suitable material which is preferably colored so that the characters on the sheets 14 are not visible therethrough. Each cover 40 and 42 has an elongated opening 45 through which, for example, one row of letters, numbers, figures, or other characters is visible. The front and back cover provide supporting surfaces for the childs hand in tracing the characters line by line through the narrow one line openings, it also promotes interest and makes the child to concentrate and practice on one line at a time.

The pad had a handle as projecting outwardly from the outer margin thereof. The handle 46 may have a retainer 47 for removably holding a stylus 48.

In use, the child, or other person, withdraws the stylus 48 from the retainer and traces thecharacters 30 exposed at the cover opening between the ridges 34 of FIG- URE 4. The film 12 will thus be caused to adhere to the impressionable pressure sensitive coating 10 along the lines traced by the stylus with the result that the dark color of the coating will appear on the sheet or film 12 and through the sheet or film 14 as a dark colored line.

When the upper row of characters has thus been traced, the pad is withdrawn outwardly to expose the next row of characters through the opening 45. After all rows of characters have been traced, or at any other time it is desired tocause the written matter, or other material on the sheets 12 to disappear, the pad is moved inwardly into the frame 1. In this movement the eraser strips 241 and 22 separate the sheets or films 12 from the coatings 1t) and thereby cause the written matter, or othermaterial on the sheets 12 to disapear. In this regard, thespace between the inner edge of the pad and the bottom portion 3 of the frame is sufficient to permit the upper row of charcters traced on the sheets 12 to be moved down or inwardly across the parting strips 20 and 22 for'causing these characters to disappear.

Capital letters and large size numbers have been described as being arranged on the sheets 14. A second pad for substitution for the described pad may have minor letters in alphabetical order on one sheet and consecutive small size numbers on the other sheet. A third pad may have capital letter script in alphabetical order on one sheet and small letter script on the other sheet. A fourth pad may have beginners arithmetic 1+1, 1+3, 1+5, etc., on one sheet and a continuation of simple addition on the other sheet. 7

Other pads may contain arithmetic and mathematical problems suitable to the various grades. the pupil is in, or multiplication 'tables. Roman type letters and other characters are also contemplated. If desired, a plain 'pad may be inserted and both sides may be alternated for economical personal use in making notations, etc.

A spring with rubber on one side, or a bent spring as shown at 50 in FIGURE 2 is attached to the frame 1 at its ends 51 and the inwardly bowed intermediate portion 52 of the spring presses againstthe adjacent'edge of the pad 8 and holds the same against sliding or movement, except when the pad is moved manually inwardly or outwardly as described. If desired, directions, infor mation or advertisement may be printed on the frame, front cover and back cover,

The embodiments of the invention disclosed in the drawing and the specification are for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be especially understood that said drawing and the specification are not to be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. In combination, a frame having opposite sides connected by a bottom portion and defining a window opening, said opposite sides of the frame having intermediate channels and back and front channels on opposite sides of said intermediate channels with openings opening outwardly from the outer ends of said intermediate channels, a pad having opposite margins entering said intermediate channels and guided for movement inwardly and outwardly in said intermediate channels, said pad having impressionable pressure sensitive coatings on opposite sides thereof, writing surface sheets overlying the pressure sensitive coatings on opposite sides of said pad and adapted upon pressure and movement of a stylus over the outer surfaces of said sheets to adhere to the impressionable pressure sensitive coatings and become visible along the pressure lines, a pair of eraser strips one passing between one writing surface sheet and the impressionable pressure sensitive coating on one side of said pad so as to part said sheet from said impressionable pressure sensitive coating when said pad is slidably moved in said intermediate channels relative to said frame, the other eraser strip passing between the other writing surface sheet and the impressionable pressure sensitive coating on the opposite side of the pad so as to part said other sheet from said other impressionable pressure sensitive coating when said pad is slidably moved in said intermediate channels relative to said frame, the opposite ends of said eraser strips projecting beyond opposite ends of said pad and joined together and engaged in said openings in said frame whereby said eraser strips are held against movement relative to said frame, a back cover having opposite margins entering and guided for movement into and from said back channels and a front cover having opposite margins entering and guided for moveent in said front channels, said back and front covers having openings through which material on opposite sides of the writing pad is visible.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the writing surface sheets have rows of characters thereon, said rows of characters being adapted to be successively positioned to be viewed through the openings in said back and front covers by withdrawing the pad from the frame.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein there is a spring attached to the frame and engaging the adjacent edge of the pad to prevent unintentional movement of the pad.

4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein there are outer sheets of transparent material overlying the writing sheets and having grooved characters defined by grooves between spaced ridges, said grooved characters being exposed outwardly to permit direct reception in said grooves of a stylus guided in said grooves between said spaced ridges for producing on said Writing sheets the desired characters by adhesion of said writing sheets to the pressure sensitive coatings on said pad.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein there are outer sheets of transparent material overlying the writing sheets and having grooved characters defined by grooves between spaced ridges, said grooved characters being exposed outwardly to permit direct reception in said grooves of a stylus guided in said grooves between said spaced ridges for producing on said writing sheets the desired characters by adhesion of said Writing sheets to the pressure sensitive coatings on said pad, and arrows on said outer sheets showing the direction to be followed in tracing the characters in said grooves and between said ridges.

6. In combination, a frame having opposite sides connected by a bottom portion and defining a window opening, said opposite sides of the frame having intermediate channels and back and front channels on opposite sides of said intermediate channels, a pad having opposite margins entering said intermediate channels and guided for movement inwardly and outwardly in said intermediate channels, said pad having impressionable pressure sensitive coatings on opposite sides thereof, writing surface sheets overlying the pressure sensitive coatings on opposite sides of said pad and adapted upon pressure and movement of a stylus over the outer surfaces of said sheets to adhere to the impressionable pressure sensitive coatings and become visible along the pressure lines, a back cover having opposite margins entering and guided for movement into and from said back channels, and a front cover having opposite margins entering and guided for movement in said front channels, said back and front covers having openings through which successive rows of characters on opposite sides of the pad are exposed by withdrawing the pad outwardly from said frame, the back and front covers providing supporting surfaces for a childs hand below said openings.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein there are outer sheets of transparent material overlying the writing sheets and having grooved characters defined by grooves between spaced ridges, said grooved characters being exposed outwardly to permit direct reception in said grooves of a styius guided in said grooves between said spaced ridges for producing on said writing sheets the desired characters by adhesion of said writing sheets to the pressure sensitive coatings on said pad.

8. The combination according to claim 6, wherein there are outer sheets of transparent material overlying the writing sheets and having grooved characters defined by grooves between spaced ridges, said grooved characters being exposed outwardly to permit direct reception in said grooves of a stylus guided in said grooves between said spaced ridges for producing on said writing sheets the desired characters by adhesion of said writing sheets to the pressure sensitive coatings on said pad, and arrows on said outer sheets showing the direction to be followed in tracing the characters in said grooves and between said ridges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Germany June 5, 1953 

1. IN COMBINATION, A FRAME HAVING OPPOSITE SIDES CONNECTED BY A BOTTOM PORTION AND DEFINING A WINDOW OPENING, SAID OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FRAME HAVING INTERMEDIATE CHANNELS AND BACK AND FRONT CHANNELS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID INTERMEDIATE CHANNELS WITH OPENINGS OPENING OUTWARDLY FROM THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID INTERMEDIATE CHANNELS, A PAD HAVING OPPOSITE MARGINS ENTERING SAID INTERMEDIATE CHANNELS AND GUIDED FOR MOVEMENT INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY IN SAID INTERMEDIATE CHANNELS, SAID PAD HAVING IMPRESSIONABLE PRESSURE SENSITIVE COATINGS ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, WRITING SURFACE SHEETS OVERLYING THE PRESSURE SENSITIVE COATINGS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PAD AND ADAPTED UPON PRESSURE AND MOVEMENT OF A STYLUS OVER THE OUTER SURFACES OF SAID SHEETS TO ADHERE TO THE IMPRESSIONABLE PRESSURE SENSITIVE COATINGS AND BECOME VISIBLE ALONG THE PRESSURE LINES, A PAIR OF ERASER STRIPS ONE PASSING BETWEEN ONE WRITING SURFACE SHEET AND THE IMPRESSIONABLE PRESSURE SENSITIVE COATING ON ONE SIDE OF SAID PAD SO AS TO PART SAID SHEET FROM SAID IMPRESSIONABLE PRESSURE SENSITIVE COATING WHEN SAID PAD IS SLIDABLY MOVED IN SAID INTERMEDIATE CHANNELS RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME, THE OTHER ERASER STRIP PASSING BETWEEN THE OTHER WRITING SUR- 